In a horrifying incident that has left the city of Venice in shock, more than 20 people have lost their lives and 18 others sustained injuries after a bus carrying foreign tourists crashed off an elevated overpass, plummeting 15 meters (50 feet) and catching fire.
The tragic accident occurred on Tuesday evening at approximately 19:45 pm local time (17:45 GMT) when the bus veered off the road, crashed through a barrier, and landed on electricity lines.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus, carrying 40 passengers, crashed through the guardrails before plunging down and bursting into flames. The impact was so severe that the bus was completely crushed, making it challenging for firefighters to extricate the victims. Venice’s Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, visibly shaken, described the scene as “apocalyptic” and expressed his disbelief on social media.
Among the victims, five were Ukrainian nationals and one was German, confirmed Venice’s prefect Michele Di Bari, the local representative of the interior ministry. The bus also carried passengers from France and Croatia. Tragically, two children were among the casualties.
Venice City Councillor Renato Boraso, speaking to Sky Italia television, described the incident as an “appalling tragedy,” leaving the entire city in mourning. Official mourning has been declared in Venice to honor the memory of the victims.
Rescue efforts were hampered as emergency responders worked tirelessly to remove the wreckage, ensuring no more passengers were trapped inside. The cause of the accident remains unclear, with Veneto region governor, Luca Zaia, expressing bewilderment over the incident. “This is an important tragedy, but it’s difficult to understand how it happened,” Zaia said, emphasizing that the bus was new and electric, and the road was not particularly problematic.
This devastating incident has sent shockwaves through Italy, a country that has unfortunately witnessed several deadly bus crashes in recent years. In 2017, a bus carrying Hungarian students met a tragic end near the northern city of Verona, claiming 16 lives. Additionally, 40 people lost their lives in 2013 when a bus plunged off a viaduct in southern Italy.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences, stating that the government’s thoughts were with the victims, their families, and their friends during this difficult time. As investigations into the cause of the accident are underway, the nation mourns the loss of those who tragically lost their lives in this devastating incident near Venice.